Imatges de pàgina
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turning to where Francisco lay, bleeding like a carcass in the shambles; "but tie up his arm some of ye, I would be sorry he bled to death."

It was unavailing, the large arteries had emptied his whole life blood-he had already gone to his account. This most miserable transaction, with all its concomitant horrors, to my astonishment, did not seem to make much impression on Obed, who now turning to me, said, with perfect composure

"You have there another melancholy voucher for my sincerity," pointing to the body; but time presses, and you must now submit to be blindfolded, and that without further explanation at present."

anchored, as I could make out part o the greetings between the strangers and Obed, in which my own name recurred more than once. In a little while all was still again, and Obed called down the companion to my guards, that I might come on deck, a boon I was not long in availing myself of. We were anchored nearly in the centre of a shallow swampy lagoon, about a mile across, as near as I could judge; two very large schooners, heavily armed, were moored a-head of us, one on each bow, and another rather smaller lay close under our stern; they all had sails bent, and every thing apparently in high order, and were full of men.The shore, to the distance of a bow-shot I did so with the best grace I could, from the water all around us, was low, and was led below, where two beauties, marshy, and covered with an imperviwith loaded pistols, and a drawn knife ous jungle of thick strong reeds and each, obliged me with their society, one wild canes, with here and there a thicket seated on each side of me on the small of mangroves; a little farther off the locker, like' two deputy butchers ready land swelled into lofty hills covered to to operate on an unfortunate veal. It the very summit with heavy timber, but had now fallen dead calm, and from every thing had a moist, green, steamy what I heard, I conjectured that the fe- appearance, as if it had been the region lucca was sweeping in towards the land of perpetual rain. "Lots of yellow fewith us in tow, for the sound of the ver here," thought I, as the heavy rank surf grew louder and louder. By and smell of decayed vegetable matter came by we seemed to slide beyond the long off, on the faint sickly breeze, and the smooth swell into broken water, for the sluggish fog banks crept along the dull little vessel pitched sharp and sudden- clay-coloured motionless surface of the ly, and again all was still, and we tepid water. The sea view was quite seemed to have sailed into some land- shut out-I looked all around and locked cove. From the loud echo of the could discern no vestige of the envoices on deck, I judged that we were trance. Right a-head there was about in a narrow canal, the banks of which a furlong of land cleared at the only were reflecting the sound; presently spot which one could call a beach, that this ceased, and although we skimmed is, a hard shore of sand and pebbles. along as motionless as before, I no lon- Had you tried to get ashore at any ger heard the splash of the felucca's other point, your fate would have been sweeps; the roar of the sea gradually that of the Master of Ravenswood; as sank in the distance, until it sounded fatal, that is, without the gentility; for like thunder, and I thought we touched you would have been suffocated in the ground now and then, although black mud, in place of clean sea-sand. slightly. All at once the Spanish part There was a long shed in the centre of of the crew, for we still had a number this cleared spot, covered in with of the felucca's people with us, sang boards, and thatched with palm leaves; out "Palanka," and we began to pole it was open below, a sort of capstanalong a narrow marshy lagoon, coming house, where a vast quantity of sails, so near the shore occasionally, that our anchors, cordage, and most kinds of sides were brushed by the branches of sea-stores were stowed, carefully coverthe mangrove bushes. Again the chan- ed over with tarpauling. Overhead nel seemed to widen, and I could hear there was a flooring laid along the couthe felucca once more ply her sweeps. ples of the roof, the whole length of the In about ten minutes after this the an- shed, forming a loft of nearly sixty feet chor was let go, and for a quarter of an long, divided by bulkheads into a vahour nothing was heard on deck but riety of apartments, lit by small rude the bustle of the people furling sails, windows in the thatch, where the crews coiling down the ropes, and getting of the vessels, I concluded, were occaevery thing in order, as is usual in com- sionally lodged during the time they ing into port. It was evident that seve- might be under repair. The boat was ral boats had boarded us soon after we manned, and Obed took me ashore with

him. We landed near the shed I have described, beneath which we encountered about forty of the most uncouth and ferocious-looking rascals that my eyes had ever been blessed withal; they were of every shade, from the woolly Negro and long-haired Indian, to the sallow American and fair Biscayan; and as they intermitted their various occupations of mending sails, fitting and stretching rigging, splicing ropes, making spun-yarn, coopering gun-carriages, grinding pikes and cutlasses, and filling cartridges, to look at me, they grinned and nodded to each other, and made sundry signs and gestures, which made me regret many a past peccadillo that in more prosperous times I little thought on or repented of, and I internally prayed that I might be prepared to die as became a man, for my fate appeared to be sealed. The only ray of hope that shot into my mind, through all this gloom, came from the respect the thieves, one and all, paid the captain; and, as I had reaped the benefit of assuming an outward recklessness and daring, which I really did not at heart possess, I screwed myself up to maintain the same port still, and swaggered along, jabbering in my broken Spanish, right and left, and jesting even with the most infamous-looking scoundrels of the whole lot, while, God he knows, my heart was palpitating like a girl's when she is asked to be married. Obed led the way up a ladder into the loft, where we found several messes at dinner, and passing through several rooms, in which a number of hammocks were slung, we at length arrived at the eastern end, which was boarded off into a room eighteen or twenty feet square, lighted by a small port-hole in the end, about ten feet from the ground. I could see several huts from this window, built just on the edge of the high wood, where some of the country people seemed to be moving about, and round which a large flock of pigs and twenty to thirty bullocks were grazing. All beyond, as far as the eye could reach, was one continuous forest, without any vestige of a living thing; not even a thin wreath of blue smoke evinced the presence of a fellowcreature ; I seemed to be hopelessly cut off from all succour, and my heart again died within me.

“I am sorry to say you must consider yourself a prisoner here for a few days," said Obed.

I will be as good as my word, and land you at St. Jago."

I groaned again. The man was moved.

"I would I could do so sooner," he continued; "but you see by how precarious a tenure I hold my control over these people; therefore I must be cantious for your sake as well as my own, for they would make little of murdering both of us, especially as the fellow who would have cut your throat this morning, has many friends amongst them; above all, I dare not leave them for any purpose for some days. I must recover my seat, in which, by the necessary severity you witnessed, I have been somewhat shaken. So good-by; there is cold meat in that locker, and some claret to wash it down with. Don't, I again warn you, venture out during the afternoon or night. I will be with you betimes in the morning. So good-by so long. Your cot, you see, is ready slung."

He turned to depart, when, as if recollecting himself, he stooped down, and taking hold of a ring, he lifted up a trap-door, from which there was a ladder leading down to the capstan-house.

"I had forgotten this entrance; it will be more convenient for me in my visits."

In my heart I believe he intended this as a hint, that I should escape through the hole at some quiet opportunity; and he was descending the-ladder, when he stopped and looked round, greatly mortified, as it struck me.

"I forgot to mention that a sentry has been placed, I don't know by whose orders, at the foot of the ladder, to whom I must give orders to fire at you, if you venture to descend. You see how the land lies; I can't help it."

This was spoken in a low tone, then aloud-"There are books on that shelf behind the canvass screen; if you can. settle to them, they may amuse you.'

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He left me, and I sat down disconsolate enough. I found some Spanish books, and a volume of Lord Byron's poetry, containing the first canto of Childe Harold, two numbers of Blackwood, with several other English books and magazines, the names of the owners on all of them being carefully erased.

But there was nothing else that indicated the marauding life of our friend Obediah, whose apartment I conjectured was now my prison, if I except a pretty I could only groan. extensive assortment of arms, pistols, "But the moment the coast is clear, and cutlasses, and a range of massive

cases, with iron clamps, which were ranged along one side of the room. I paid my respects to the provender and claret; the hashed chicken was particularly good; bones rather large or so, but flesh white and delicate. Had I known that I was dining upon a guana, or large wood lizard, I scarcely think I would have made so hearty a meal. Long cork, No. 2, followed ditto, No. 1; and as the shades of evening, as poets say, began to fall by the time I had finished it, I toppled quietly into my cot, said my prayers such as they were, and fell asleep.

It must have been towards morning,
from the damp freshness of the air that
came through the open window, when I
was roused by the howling of a dog, a
sound which always moves me.
I
shook myself; but before I was tho-
roughly awake, it ceased; it appeared
to have been close under my window.
I was turning to go to sleep again,
when a female, in a small suppressed
voice, sung the following snatch of a
vulgar Port-Royal ditty, which I
scarcely forgive myself for introducing
here to polite society.

'Young hofficer come home at night,
Him give me ring and kisses;
Nine months, one picaniny white,
Him white almost like misses.
But misses fum* my back wid switch,
Him say de shild for massa;
But massa say him—'

The singer broke off suddenly, as if
disturbed by the approach of some one.
"Hush, hush, you old foolish".
said a man's voice, in the same low
whispering tone;"you will waken de
dronken sentry dere, when we shall all
be put in iron. Hush, he will know
my voice more better."

It was now clear that some one wished to attract my attention; besides, I had a dreamy recollection of having heard both the male and female voices before. I listened, therefore, all alive. The man began to sing in the same low tone.

'Newfoundland dog love him master de

morest

Of all de dog ever I see;

dog, sing psalm; good dog, sing psalm," and thereupon a long loud melancholy howl rose wailing through the night air.

"If that be not my dear old Sneezer, it is a deuced good imitation of him," thought I. "Yowl

The woman again spoke. leetle piece more, good dog," and the howl was repeated.

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I was now certain. By this time I had risen, and stood at the open window; but it was too dark to see any thing distinctly below. I could barely distinguish two dark figures, and what I concluded was the dog sitting on end between them.

"Who are you? what do you want with me?"

"Speak softly, massa, speak softly, or the sentry may hear us, for all de rum I give him."

Here the dog recognised me, and nearly spoiled sport altogether; indeed it might have cost us our lives, for he began to bark and frisk about, and to leap violently against the end of the capstan-house, in vain endeavours to reach the window.

"Down, Sneezer, down, sir; you used to be a dog of some sense; down."

But Sneezer's joy had capsized his discretion, and the sound of my voice pronouncing his name drove him mad altogether, and he bounded against the end of the shed, like a battering-ram.

"Now,

"Stop, man, stop," and I held down
the bight of my neckcloth, with an end
in each hand. He retired, took a no-
ble run, and in a trice hooked his fore-
paws in the handkerchief, and I hauled
him in at the window.
Sneezer, down with you, sir, down
with you, or your rampaging will get
all our throats cut." He cowered at
my feet, and was still as a lamb from
that moment. I stepped to the window.
"Now who are you, and what do you
want?" said I.

"Ah, massa, you no know me!"
"How the devil should I? Don't

Let him starve him, and kick him, and cuff you see it is as dark as pitch ?"

him de sorest,

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"Well, massa, I will tell you; it is me, massa."

"I make no great doubt of that; but who may you be?

"Lord, you are de foolis person now; make me talk to him," said the female. "Massa, neber mind he, dat stupid fellow is my husband, and surely massa know me ?"

66

Now, my very worthy friends, I think you want to make yourselves

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Here Peter chimed in-" Yes, massa, Peter Mangrove is de person you have de honour to address, and -"here he lowered his voice still more, although the whole dialogue from the commencement had been conducted in no higher tone than a loud whisper."We have secured one big large canoe, near de mout of dis dam hole, which, wid your help, I tink we shall be able to launch troo de surf; and once in smoot water, den no fear but we shall run down de coast safely be fore de wind till we reach St. Jago."

My heart jumped against my ribs. Here's an unexpected chance, thought 1. "But, Peter, how, in the name of mumbo jumbo, came you here?"

"Why, massa, you do forget a leetle, dat I am a Creole negro, and not a naked tatoed African, whose exploits, dat is de wonderful ting him never do in him's own country, him get embroidered and pinked in gunpowder on him breach; beside, I am Christian gentleman like yourself; so dam mumbo jumbo, Massa Cringle."

I saw where I had erred. "So say I, Peter, dam mumbo jumbo particularly; but how came you here, man? tell me that."

66 Why, massa, I was out in de Pilot boat schooner, wid my wife here, and five more hands, waiting for de outward bound, tinking no harm, when dem piratical rascal catch we, and carry us off. Yankee privateer bad enough; but who ever hear of pilot being carry off? blasphemy dat, carry off pilot! Whoever dream of such a ting? every shivilized peoples respect pilot-carry off pilot!-oh Lord- 99 and he groaned in spirit for several seconds.

"And the dog?" enquired I.

" Oh, massa, I could not leave him at home; and since you was good enough to board him wid us, he has messed wid us, ay, and slept wid us; and when we started last, although he showed some dislike at going on board, I had only to say, Sneezer, we go look for you master; and he make such a bound, dat he capsize my old woman

dere, heel over head; oh dear, what display, Nancy, you was exhibit!"

"Hold your tongue, Peter; you hab no decency, you old willain."

"Well, but, Peter, speak out; when are we to make the attempt? where are the rest of your crew?"

"Oh dear! oh dear; dat is de worstest; oh dear!" and he began to sob and cry like the veriest child. "Oh, massa" after he had somewhat recovered himself;-" Oh, massa, dese people devils. Why, de make all de oder on board walk de plank, wid two ten pound shot, one at each foot. “Oh, if you had seen de clear shining blue skin, as de became leetle and leetle, and more leetler, down far in de clear green sea! Oh dear! oh dear! Only to tink dat each wavering black spot was fellow-creature like one-self, wid de heart's blood warm in his bosom at de very instant of time we lost sight of him for ever!"

"God bless me," said I; "and how did you escape, and the black dog, and the black-ahem-beg pardon-your wife I mean; how were you spared?"

"Ah, massa! I can't say; but bad as de were, de seemed to have a liking for brute beasts, so dem save Sneezer, and my wife, and myshef; we were de only quadrupeds saved out of de whole crew Oh dear! Oh dear!"

"Well, well; I know enough now. I will spare you the pains of any farther recital, Peter; so tell me what I am to do."

"Stop, massa, till I see if de sentry be still sound. I know de fellow, he was one on dem; let me see"-and I heard him through the loose flooring boards walk to the foot of the trap ladder leading up to my berth. The soliloquy that followed was very curious of its kind. The Negro had excited himself by a recapitulation of the cruelties exercised on his unfortunate shipmates, and the unwarrantable caption of himself and rib, a deed that in the nautical calendar would rank in atrocity with the murder of a herald or the bearer of a flag of truce. He kept murmuring to himself, as he groped about in the dark for the sentry-" Catch pilot! who ever hear of such a ting? I suppose dem would have pull down lighthouse, if dere had been any for pull. Where is dis sentry rascal? him surely no sober yet?"

The sentry had fallen asleep as he leant back on the ladder, and had gradually slid down into a sitting position, with his head leaning against one of the steps, as he reclined with his back to

wards it, thus exposing his throat and neck to the groping paw of the black pilot.

"Ah-here him is, snoring heavy as my Nancy-well, dronk still; no fear of him overhearing we-nice position him lie in quite convenient-could cut his troat now-slice him like a pumpkinde devil is surely busy wid me, Peter. I find de very clasp-knife in my starboard pocket beginning to open of himself."

I tapped on the floor with my foot. "Ah, tank you, Massa Tom-de devil nearly get we all in a scrape just now. However I see him is quite sound-de sentry dat is, for de oder never sleep, you know." He had again come under the window. "Now, Lieutenant, in two word, to-morrow night at two bells, in de middle watch, I will be here, and we shall make a start of it; will you venture, sir?"

"Will I? to be sure I will; but why not now, Peter? why not now?"

Ah, massa, you no smell de daylight; near day-break already, sir. Can't make try dis night, but to-morrow night I shall be here punctual."

"Very well, but the dog, man? if he be found in my quarters, we shall be blown, and I scarcely think he will leave me."

“Garamighty! true enough, massa; what is to be done? De people know de dog was catch wid me, and if he be found wid you, den dey will sospect we communication togidder. What is to be done?"

I was myself not a little perplexed, when Nancy whispered, "de dog have more sense den many Christian person. Tell him he must go wid us dis one night, no tell him dis night, else him won't; say dis one night, and dat if him don't, we shall all be deaded; try him, massa."

I had benefitted by more extraordinary hints before now, although, well as I knew the sagacity of the poor brute, I could not venture to hope it would come up to the expectations of Mrs. Mangrove. "But I'll try. Here, Sneezer, here, my boy; you must go home with Peter to-night, or we shall all get into a deuced mess; so here, my boy, here is the bight of the handkerchief again, so through the window you must go; come, Sneezer, come." To be continued.

ENGLISH FASHIONABLE SOCIETY.

"We are a selfish people," said a favourite leader of fashion, "I confess, and I do believe that what in other countries is called 'amor patriæ,' is amongst us nothing but a huge conglomeration of love of ourselves; but I am glad of it; I like selfishness; there's good sense in it;"--and he added, not satirically, but quite in earnest, "Good nature is quite mauvais ton' in London; and really it is a bad style to take up, and will never do."

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It is true that if you choose to analyse and hunt down every feeling with the greatest subtlety, you may discover a sort of selfishness at the very bottom of every thing; but in all other nations a noble shame throws a veil over it; as there are instincts very natural and innocent, which are yet concealed even by the most uncivilised.

Here, however, people are so little ashamed of the most "crasse" self-love, that an Englishman of rank once instructed me that a good fox-hunter must let nothing stop him, or distract his attention when following the fox; and if his own father should be thrown in leaping a ditch, and lie there, should, he said, "if he could'nt help it," lead his horse over him, and trouble himself no more about him till the end of the chase.

With all this, our pattern "dandy" has not the least independence, even in his bad qualities-he is the trembling slave of fashion, even in the extremest trifles; and the obsequious, servile satellite of the fortunate individuals who are higher than himself.Were virtue and modesty suddenly to become the fashion, nobody would be more exemplary,-difficult as would be the task to accomplish.

Destitute of all originality, and without a thought he can properly call his own, he may be compared to a clay figure, which, for a while, deceives one with all the properties of a human being, but returns into its native mud as soon as you discover that it has not a soul.

Whoever reads the best of the recent English novels-those by the author of Pelham-may be able to abstract from them a tolerably just idea of English fashionable society; provided he does not forget to deduct qualities which national self-love has claimed, though quite erroneously;-namely grace for its roues, seductive manners and amusing conversation for its dandies

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